Back panel for video display device

ABSTRACT

A back panel for a display device, such as a flat-panel television or computer monitor, which is very thin around the edges and houses all electronics in a “spine” near the vertical center of the back of the display. The back panel provides novel heat-dissipation, arrangement of electronics to save space, forces the center of gravity forward allowing the display to be set closer to a wall, and provides less interference and signal degradation than the prior art.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to televisions and more particularly to animproved back center panel for video display device. The invention is athin centrally-mounted back solution for a flat panel display thathouses all electronics and connectors for the display. The centralsolution also contains the main controller board for the display and thepower supply.

2. Background of the Invention

Televisions have evolved from black and white, to color, and mostrecently into flat panels and high definition televisions. Through thisprocess, the technology used to perform the various functions hasprogressed from clunky to refined. In particular, flat panel displayshave become very popular due to the low space requirement, thepossibility of wall-mounted units, and the availability ofdigital-quality picture.

In the prior art, flat panel displays have often been approximately 3-5inches thick, a considerable improvement over the prior art, but invirtually every embodiment this thickness covers the entirety of theback of the flat panel display. In many cases the effective thickness ofthe display is further increased due to poor cable management. Thisthickness is typically used throughout the display to enable thedisplay's control or logic boards to dissipate heat at functional levelsand in order that the display may be uniform thickness throughout foraesthetic purposes. Additionally, electronics and input and outputconnections to the display are typically embedded throughout the back ofthe display in the prior art, necessitating the use of a uniformthickness throughout. A great deal of wiring is used, when massproduced, to connect all of these disparate electronic components andinput and output connectors within the back of a display in the priorart. The addition of these longer signal paths and correspondingconnectors introduces visible and unnecessary electronic signaldegradation and interference. Additionally, the electronic compenents'scattered positions throughout the back of the display increase themanufacturing cost of wiring the components together.

However, the present invention is a flat panel display that provides allinput and output connections, the main logic board, the power supply andthe connections to the display within a small rectangular area, similarto a human spine, in the center-back of a flat panel display. Otherelements of the display attach to or are housed within this spinereducing cost and weight, and this allows for more efficient manufactureas well as repair. The mount-points for wall mounting and other mountingoptions for flat panel displays are also included in the spine. Theremaining area surrounding this “spine” on either side is very thin andvery aesthetically pleasing. It also has the additional effect of makingthe unit lighter and smaller. The connectors, such as for a/c power anddigital video in are on either side of the spine, rather than on theback or bottom so as to allow for easy wall-mounting or simply placingthe display close to the wall. Additionally, the spine-side-mountedconnections enable the user to more easily see and access theconnections when the unit is wall-mounted or placed close to a wall.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a backpanel of a flat panel display that is aesthetically pleasing, thinner,lighter, easier to use, independent of display size, has flexible attachpoints for sub-components and which may be mounted closer to the walldue to the “spine” design than previous flat panel displays in the art.It is a further object of the present invention to provide astandardized single structure in multiple sizes of flat panel displaysfor use with the same wall and other mounting equipment. It is a furtherobject of the present invention to provide a standardized singlestructure in multiple sizes of flat panel displays for use with the samebase. It is a further object of the present invention to limit the depthaway from the wall that the display is mounted. It is an additionalobject to enable standardization of internal power supply and reduceduse of necessary shielding material for wires, as they are now onlyhoused in the central spine.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide easy viewingand access to input, output and other connectors to the display, as theyare now visible and accessible from the sides of the spine of thedisplay. It is a further object of the present invention to allow cablesto “waterfall” to the sides of the spine, not requiring additional spacebehind the display or out from the back of the display and further not“kinking” the cables for poor performance. It is a further object of thepresent invention to provide a single heatsink and logic board for usewith multiple television displays, further saving in production costsdue to standardization. These and other objects of the present inventionwill be seen in the following description of the invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A “bucket” or back housing for a flat panel television with thincenter-mounted controller board and power supply is described. This backpanel is an improvement on the prior art by allowing for the productionof a thinner, lighter and cheaper to produce flat panel display overall.The bucket of the flat panel display has a centrally mounted “spine” inwhich all electronics, connectors, heat sink and the power supply areplaced.

The flat panel display provides a very thin, front to back, screen area.The thickness required for the screen itself and the housing surroundingthe screen are all that is necessary in the non-spine areas of thedisplay. In the center of the display back, the main logic board andpower supply are situated. The housing over this area also may bereinforced to allow the unit to be wall-mounted. The spine configurationof the display requires fewer separate components to be connected viawiring, requires less wiring to connect the components with the screenitself, and makes it such that the spine itself may be easilymass-produced and attached to multiple sizes and types of displays.

The components housed within the spine: the power supply, the logicboard, the input and output connectors, the wall mounting brackets, theframe and display support rails, and other electronics and necessarycomponents are all housed within a standardized spine which may beattached to numerous sizes of displays. The software within the logicboard will be standardized to enable the logic board to operate any ofthe multiple displays to which is may be attached. Other features andadvantages of the present invention will become apparent in the furtherdescription.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a depiction of the flat panel display of the invention fromthe back.

FIG. 2 is a depiction of the flat panel display of the invention fromthe side.

FIG. 3 a is a depiction of the connectors on either side of the “spine.”

FIG. 3 b is a depiction of the connectors on one side of the “spine” andthe connectors placement with respect to the screen of the display.

FIG. 4 is a depiction of the mounting of the “spine” on a screenbacking.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the mainboard used in the “spine” of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring first to FIG. 1, the back of a flat panel display is depicted.A base 10 may or may not be attached to a display. As is common in theart, the display may be used free-standing or hung on a wall. The base10 is shown, for purposes of example, attached in this figure. Notably,the base 10 is attached only to the spine 14 of the television. In thepreferred method of this invention a single connector type will beneeded to attach a base 10 to any size of television using the spine 14.There are standardized connectors enclosed within the spine 14 which maybe attached to multiple bases. Side panels 12 are very thin, front toback. In the preferred embodiment, the side panels 12 are only thickenough to provide a housing for the display. There are also coolingvents in the side panels 12 situated at the top and near the bottom.Liquid crystal displays do not generate much heat, nor do plasma displaytechnology. However, the main controller board and electronics involvedin any digital display do generate a substantial amount of heat.Therefore these vents are used in the display to enable the displayelectronics to properly ventilate.

Next, in element 14, the “spine” of the display is depicted. In thepreferred embodiment, the spine is reinforced with U-shaped braces onthe inside of the right and left of the spine. In the preferredembodiment there are multiple sets of two U-shaped braces wherein theU's face each other. These braces face each other and reinforce thespine in the preferred embodiment so that the spine may be used as themounting point when mounting the display on a wall. These braces helpserve to reinforce the spine of the display for supporting the entireweight of the display while wall-mounted or mounted to the base 10. Thestandardized mounting fixtures for use mounting the display to awall-mount or other mounting are depicted in element 18.

Contained within the spine 14 are the electronics and power supply whichcontrol and power the display. These are arranged vertically and asthinly as possible. However, this spine section is designed, in thepreferred embodiment, to be thick enough to support the weight, eitherwall-mounted or using the stand, of the display and to house theseelectronics. So, this spine is somewhat thicker than the side panels 12in the preferred embodiment. The connectors to sound, video in, videoout, and power are also housed within this spine 14, so the spine mustbe at least thick enough to allow for connection of these cables to thedisplay.

Because the electronics and power supply of the display create the mostheat, there is also another cooling vent 16 in the upper portion of thespine 14 in the preferred embodiment. Also in the preferred embodiment,the electronics, in particular the controller or main board, are housedin the upper portion of the spine, along with the electronics requiredto utilize each connector. The power supply is housed in the lowerportion of the spine in the preferred embodiment. The main boardgenerates more heat than the power supply. Therefore, this cooling vent16 is closest to the largest source of heat for the display.

Finally, also depicted in this figure are the mounting fixtures 18.These fixtures, reinforced in the preferred embodiment with metal orplastic may be used to mount the display on a wall. The mountingfixtures 18 are capable of sustaining the entire weight of the displaywhile wall-mounted. The reinforcement in the preferred embodiment of thespine, using the opposing U braces helps to enable this thin portion ofthe display back panel to sustain the weight of the entire display.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a side view of the flat panel display isdepicted. In this figure, the side panel connectors are more clearlydepicted. First, the base 10 is depicted again, from the side. As can beseen, the base 10 is sufficiently wide and deep so as to support thedisplay. In cases of larger displays, the base 10 may be wider anddeeper to support additional weight. In the preferred embodiment of theinvention, the base 10 is removable through the operation of simpleplastic “snap in” and “snap out” or in alternative embodiments, throughthe removal of screws or grommets. The base 10 of the preferredembodiment is an improvement over the prior art. As can be seen fromFIG. 2, the base 10 extends further in front of the display than backbehind the display. This is a result of the center mounted spine 14. Thedisplay has a lower center of gravity and more of the weight is shiftedforward when more of the electronics are centered over the base 10.Therefore, the resulting display, with the base 10 extending furtherforward than backward, may be placed closer to a wall, even when usingthe base 10 to support the display.

The spine 14 is depicted from the side in element 14. As was seen inFIG. 1, the spine 14 is as narrow as possible, in relation to the widthof the display, while still being wide enough to enclose all of theelectronics and connections necessary to control and operate thedisplay. In particular, as can be seen in element 22, room for theconnector panel including relevant audio/visual connectors must be made.In the preferred embodiment, the depth of element 14 is roughly oneinch. Also, in the preferred embodiment, there are connector panels 22on either side of the spine. This will allow room for the connectorpanel 22 and all relevant audio/visual connectors, inputs and outputs.The connectors, inputs and outputs are standard in the industry andtherefore, will not be described here. On television displays, coaxialcable connectors will be used and on computer displays, video inputswill be provided. These will be supplemented with digital and analogaudio and visual input and output connectors. Finally, the power cableconnector is depicted in element 20.

Each of the connectors depicted in element 22 and the power cableconnected in element 20 are situated to the sides of the spine 14. Onthe side not depicted, additional connectors are situated with outwardconnections to the side. This is an improvement over the prior art inthat the side connectors allow the display to be more closely situatednear a wall. The unit may be more easily wall mounted when it isdetached from the base 10 because there are no connectors protrudingfrom the rear of the unit. The connectors are configured such that theyface parallel to a wall, should the display be mounted upon the wall orbe set stationary near a wall. This enables the total distance from thewall, if the unit is wall-mounted or near the wall to be only so faraway as the spine 14 protrudes in the back of the display.

Additionally, the natural angle at which the audio, video and digitalaudio/visual connectors and coaxial cable connectors will “waterfall”when they are connected to the connectors 22 will be beneficial to limitsignal impedance. In the prior art, cables are often crushed or pushedtightly against the wall because they are attached facing outward fromthe display. Because all connections are made facing outward and to thesides of the device, the display may be wall-mounted or situated near awall while not “kinking” the cables. Therefore a higher-quality audio,visual or other signal will arrive at the mainboard for display.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 a and 3 b, depictions of the internal casingfor the electronics and connectors are depicted. Connectors 22 aredepicted in 3 a and 3 b, from the back view and from one side view. Thisportion of the invention will also contain all main board and controlelectronics. Also depicted is the LCD or plasma panel 24 of the displayitself as shown in FIG 3 b. The diagram with the outer casing removedshows the relation between the connectors 22 and the display. They areas closely situated as possible within the preferred embodiment ofinvention. Also depicted in FIG. 3 b is the power supply 26 of theinvention, situated immediately below the mainboard and screen.Similarly, this is mounted so as to use as little space side-to-side asthe main “spine” section of the display.

Still referring to FIGS. 3 a and 3 b, the single unit of the mainboardand the single power supply situated close to one another areadvancements over the prior art. First, the mainboard, audio, visual andother components being combined into a single component is anadvancement over the prior art. In the prior art, the audio subsystemwould be situated at one place on the back of the display, connected tothe mainboard via some wiring. The connectors 22 would be situated indifferent places or in one spot on the back, side or front of thedisplay and were connected to the relevant subsystems using wiring. Inthe present invention the single component approach limits the amount ofwiring used across the back of the display. The connections and eachcomponent is attached to a single piece. Additionally, in the prior art,multiple connections to the LCD or plasma panel were made. In thepresent invention, a single connection is used to connect the mainboardto the LCD or plasma panel. The back of this screen connection 30 isdepicted in FIG. 3 a.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the connectors 22, the power supply 26 andscreen backing 28 are shown. The screen backing 28 is used to attach thespine 14 to the screen 24. One benefit of the present invention is theneed for only minimal use of cabling outside of the spine 14. Theinvention connects directly, through a single panel connector 30, to thescreen 24 in only one place. In the prior art, numerous connections wereused, in various places throughout the backing of the panel 24,utilizing much more wiring and cabling. This is an advancement over theprior art in ease of manufacture and as a cost-saving and time-savingfeature while the display is in production.

Additionally, in the prior art, shielding was used across the entireback of the panel to protect it from the heat generated from thenumerous sub-components scattered across the back of the screen. Usingthe single component or spine of the present invention, heat-protectiveshielding need only be used where there are heat-generating components.Therefore, using the present invention, the panel need only beheat-shielded from the mainboard and power supply.

A further improvement of the present invention can also be demonstrated.The mainboard and power supply are created as a single component or twocomponents. These components may be used on any size display, taking upeffectively the same amount of space on any display. The mainboard andpower supply of the spine of a typical display takes up substantiallyless space than the disparate and interconnected components attachedacross the back of a display in the prior art. Therefore, the presentinvention, by virtue of being a single or two connected componentsdesigned to be situated within the “spine” of a television take upconsiderably less space than those of the prior art. By virtue of thisfact, they are cheaper to produce by using fewer components and lesswiring. They are also more easily integrated into any television byvirtue of being able to be standardized across multiple displays.

Finally, referring to FIG. 5, a block diagram of some of the importantportions of the spine mainboard are depicted. First, the audio subsystem40 is depicted, along with connections directly (if included in thedisplay itself) to speakers 30. This subsystem takes care of all audioinput and output. It also decodes audio input for output to onboard orexternal speakers. This subsystem is connected to the mainboard 26 usingnumerous input, output and power connections. The mainboard 26 controlsthe LCD panel itself and is connected, as described, to the LCD panelusing a single connection in the preferred embodiment. This single LCDpanel connection is depicted in element 42. Additionally, in element 44,the mainboard 26 connection to the LCD panel for controlling thebrightness and/or backlight of the screen is depicted.

The power module 28 is depicted with inputs and outputs for electricityand grounding in order to complete the circuit. Also depicted in thepreferred embodiment are flash slots 32. These are used, in thepreferred embodiment, to store software for the operation of themainboard, audio subsystem and all additional components. In alternativeembodiments, this flash memory may be upgradeable or “flashable.”Flashable memory is memory that may be rewritten if the memory is firstdeleted then replaced with new data. It is common in the art to includeflash memory for baseline computer operating procedures that may beupgraded or changed. Additionally, in alternative embodiments, there maybe additional flash slots 32 for flash media containing content to bedisplayed on the display. Also depicted is an optional control panel 34which may be accessed for manual configuration of the display. In thepreferred embodiment, this houses the controls themselves and theelectronics necessary to effectuate a particular change in the mainboardand the display. In alternative embodiments, this may also simply housethe electronics necessary to effectuate changes on the display using aremote or front-mounted controls.

Also depicted is a hard disk drive 36. This may be used to storesoftware for use in operating the display. Additionally oralternatively, content may be stored here for display on the device.Finally, connectors 38 to the mainboard 26 and to the audio subsystem 32are depicted. These connectors are the same as the connectors depictedin element 22 in FIGS. 3a, 3 b and 4. The mainboard 26 will have videoand digital video connectors. The audio subsystem will have audio anddigital audio connectors. Additional connectors 48 may also be present.The mainboard 26 in particular may be equipped with additionalconnectors including: universal serial bus (USB) connectors, flashmemory input connectors and computer display connectors. Additionalunits may be affixed to the front of the display, providing for built-inDVD player capability. The “depth” provided in the center by the spinemay be used to contain the required depth for the insertion of a DigitalVideo Disc.

Accordingly, an improved back panel for video display device has beendisclosed. The invention, as described, is only the preferredembodiment. Many other embodiments of the invention may be described,without varying from the heart of the invention. The invention islimited only by the following claims:

1. A visual display device comprising: a flat-panel screen for visualdisplay; electronics elements, connected to said screen, for controllingthe operation of the visual display device, and arranged substantiallyvertically, substantially adjacent to a center of a back of saidflat-panel screen; a center housing, enclosing said electronicselements; first and second side housings, disposed on the back of thevisual display device, each located on opposite sides of said centerhousing; wherein the visual display device is substantially thinner inthe areas of said first and second side housings; and connectors,connected to said electronics elements and mounted on the sides of saidcenter housing. 2-11. (canceled)
 12. The visual display device of claim1, wherein said electronic elements comprise a single circuit boarddisposed within said center housing.
 13. The visual display device ofclaim 1, wherein said electronic elements are electrically connected tosaid screen at a single point by connecting means, said means includinga cable, socket, and other suitable connecting elements.
 14. A visualdisplay device comprising: a flat-panel screen for visual display;electronic elements for controlling the operation of the visual displaydevice, mounted on a single printed circuit board and electricallyconnected to said screen at a single point by connecting means, and;wherein said electronic elements are arranged substantially vertically,substantially adjacent to a center of a back of said flat-panel screen;a center housing enclosing said electronic elements; first and secondside housings, disposed on the back of the visual display device onopposite sides of said center housing; wherein said visual displaydevice is substantially thinner in the areas of said first and secondside housings; and connectors, connected to ssaid electronic elementsand mounted on the sides of said center housing.
 15. The visual displaydevice of claim 14, wherein said visual display device is a computermonitor.
 16. The visual display device of claim 14, wherein said visualdisplay device is a television.
 17. The visual display device of claim14, wherein said center housing further contains structuralreinforcement to permit mounting of said visual display device onto asupport structure.
 18. The visual display device of claim 17, whereinsaid center housing furhter contains mounting hardware, and wherein saidmounting hardware has a standard size independent of the size of saidvisual display device.
 19. The back panel of a visual display devicecomprising: electronic elements for the operation of the visual displaydevice, said electronic elements being arranged in a vertical manner andlocated substantially near a central portion of a back side of the backpanel; and a raised center housing affixed to the back panel andenclosing said electronic elements.
 20. The back panel of claim 19,wherein said electronic elements are mounted on a single circuit boarddisposed within said center housing.
 21. The back panel of claim 19,wherein said electronic elements are capable of electrical connection toa visual display screen at a single point by connecting means, saidconnecting means including a cable, socket, and other suitableconnecting elements.
 22. The back panel of claim 19, includingconnectors mounted on the sides of said center housing and connected tosaid electronic elements.
 23. The back panel of claim 19, wherein thevisual display device is a television.
 24. The back panel of claim 19,wherein the visual display device is a computer monitor.
 25. The backpanel of claim 19, wherein said center housing further containsstructural reinforcement to permit mounting of the visual display deviceonto a support structure.
 26. The back panel of claim 25, wherein saidcenter housing further contains mounting hardware of a standard size,independent of the size of the back panel.
 27. A back panel for a visualdisplay device comprising: electronic elements for controlling theoperation of the visual display devicemounted on a single printedcircuit board capable of electrical connection at a single point byconnecting means to a screen for visual display, and; said electronicelements being arranged in a vertical manner and located substantiallynear a central portion of the back panel; a raised center housing,enclosing said electronics; and connectors, mounted on the sides of saidcenter housing and electrically connected to said electronic elements.28. A visual display device comprising; a screen for visual display;electronic elements for the operation of the visual display device, saidelectronic elements being arranged in a vertical manner and locatedsubstantially near a central portion of a back side of the visualdisplay device; and a center housing enclosing said electronic elements.29. A manufactering process comprising the steps of: providing astandard sized center housing; combining said standard sized centerhousing with one of a pluraltiy of different sized flat-panel screen.30. A method of manufacturing visual display devices of varying sizescomprising the steps of; manufacturing a plurality of standardizedelectronic and center housings; manufacturing a plurality of flat-panelscreens of varying sizes; manufacturing a plurality of first and secondside panels of varying sizes, each set of first and second side panelshaving a size sufficient to cover portions of a back of a correspondingflat-panel screen; and attaching said electronics, said center housingand said first and second side panels to a back side of each of saidflat-panel screens.
 31. A manufacturing process comprising the steps of:providing standardized electronic elements for control of a visualdisplay device; providing a center housing; providing a flat-panelscreen; integrating said standardized electronic elements with saidcenter housing and said flat-panel screen.
 32. A manufacturing processcomprising the steps of: providing a standardized heatsink; providing acenter housing; providing a flat-panel screen; integrating saidstandardized heatsink with said center housing and said flat-panelscreen.
 33. A manufacturing process comprising the steps of: providing astandardized main controller board; providing a center housing;providing a flat-panel screen; integrating said standardized maincontroller board with said center housing and said flat-panel screen.34. A manufacturing process comprising the steps of: providing astandardized power supply; providing a center housing; providing aflat-panel screen; integrating said standardized power supply with saidcenter housing and said flat-panel screen.
 35. A manufacturing processcomprising the steps of: providing standardized software; providing acenter housing; providing a flat-panel screen; integrating said standardsoftware with said center housing and a flat-panel screen.
 36. Amanufacturing process comprising the steps of: providing a standard baseconnector; providing a center housing; providing a flat-panel screen;integrating said standard base connector with said center housing andsaid flat-panel screen.
 37. A manufacturing process comprising the stepsof: providing a main board, wherein said main board incorporates alllogic, sound, and video control elements; providing a flat-panel screen;integrating said main board with said flat-panel screen.
 38. A visualdisplay device comprising: a flat-panel screen for visual display;electronic elements for controlling the operation of the visual displaydevice, connected to said screen, wherein said electronics are arrangedin a vertical manner and positioned substantially adjacent to a centerof a back of said flat-panel screen; a center housing, enclosing saidelectronics; first and second side housings located on opposite sides ofsaid center housing, each covering a portion of the back of saidflat-panel screen; wherein said center housing has a depth that isgreater than said first and second side panels; and connectors mountedon said center housing and electrically connected to said electronicelements.
 39. The device of claim 38 wherein said depth of said centerhousing is measured from said back of said flat-panel screen to an outersurface of said center housing.
 40. The device of claim 38 wherein saiddepth of said first and second side panels is measured from said back ofsaid flat-panel screen to an outer surface of said first and second sidepanels.
 41. The device of claim 40 wherein the depth of said first sidepanel is substantially equal to the depth of said second side panel. 42.The device of claim 38 wherein said connectors are mounted on side edgesof said center housing and disposed in a substantially horizontalorientation.
 43. The device of claim 38 wherein said electronicscomprising a single printed circuit board.
 44. A visual display devicecomprising: a flat-panel screen for visual display having a back;electronic elements for controlling the operation of the visual displaydevice, connected to said screen, and arranged in a vertical manner andpositioned substantially adjacent to a center of said back; a centerhousing, enclosing said electronic elements; first and second sidehousings located on opposite sides of said center housing, each coveringa portion of said back; wherein said center housing has a first depththat is measured from said flat-panel screen to an outer surface of saidcenter housing, and said first and second side housings each have asecond depth that is measured from said flat-panel screen to an outersurface of said first and second side housings, said first depth beinggreater than said second depth; and connectors mmounted on the sides ofsaid center housing in a substantially horizontal orientation andelectrically connected to said electronic elements.